[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6562124,"mediaKeyId","3280511-8cbeb15020ccb3c32b7432ed998077a1","parentId",3280511,"title","Graceride asks Pueblo council to back letter pressing state to release Medicaid reimbursements; cites local patient access impact","audioSeconds",542,"startMs",5133000,"endMs",5675000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280511-8cbeb15020ccb3c32b7432ed998077a1&start=5133&end=5675","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280511-8cbeb15020ccb3c32b7432ed998077a1/thumbnail_5133000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6562124/Pueblo-City/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Graceride-asks-Pueblo-council-to-back-letter-pressing-state-to-release-Medicaid-reimbursements-cites-local-patient-access-impact","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562124-b3936742cdbba4b98ff62d2cd9ef40ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196756&Signature=icB4UMMJFtr9975itdHB5KokGffRLN5C5qk74Ho9gANT2LcuHkilLlCmMcfZDIk5KRVjr5wDHfYRD~32nDPvQtDp153p0VonaFMvIhV-ftFPGFfOo8tFbzdQWKDtB8jRfbD1dI~hnjPKmJq~NZzYHqi8zIP4rkC1mQPg8oDr1thWsMQ-90~ghzW2tLPuBUFTY9v3NWOcbbYrwk29pN0tjdU2LVPHW3bFtIyclcsd1y~G01ZdWHwxbOh30ndbVj1qLCoK2YN6WOmfKE1GXa2IhB-rhKETAz7LnDvuMGP7Mfe4Ki1K0CYXNZw7JWU~7XPFR-O9fVlCw3OtKtPcBzxHcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pueblo City, CO","date","2025-05-13T14:47:23Z","article","At the May 12 work session, representatives of Graceride Medical Transportation and Colorado Secure Transportation asked Pueblo City Council for a support letter urging the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to resume reimbursements and to consider Graceride’s proposed expansion centered in Pueblo.

Frazier Gobina, identified in the presentation as owner and CEO of Graceride Medical Transportation, told the council that Graceride has not been reimbursed by HCPF for Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services since a statewide investigation and prepayment review began in August 2023. Gobina said the company continued to provide trips during the review and was later cleared by HCPF of fraud, waste or abuse, but reimbursements have not resumed.

“Since Graceride started operating in the Pueblo community, we have invested close to $2,000,000 of our own resources,” Gobina said. He described thousands of now-unserved patients and said roughly 275 other providers statewide were shut down during the investigation, which the presenters said reduced access to transportation for Medicaid recipients needing dialysis, cancer treatments, behavioral-health and addiction services.

Jason Wilson, CEO of Colorado Secure Transportation, said lack of reliable NEMT capacity also affects behavioral-health patients and can leave people stranded after discharge from out‑of‑community facilities. He described cases where patients discharged from Denver or Colorado Springs lack a guaranteed NEMT return trip under current reimbursement practices, particularly for trips over 25 miles.

Gobina said Graceride has proposed to HCPF a plan that would make Pueblo the company’s headquarters and expand service to roughly 20 counties, creating jobs. He said the firm would invest approximately $3.5 million under that plan and employ about 220 drivers and staff — “the majority of those staff members will be employed from the Pueblo community,” he said.

Councilor Flores asked how the council could help. Gobina requested a support letter from the city addressed to HCPF describing the company’s role and the community impact of withheld reimbursements. He said some county commissioners have already provided support letters after conducting due diligence.

Councilors did not vote on any action but council members indicated they would consider preparing a support letter for HCPF. The presenters said they will continue to pursue discussions with HCPF and provided contact information to city staff.

No council or staff representative made financial commitments during the session; presenters framed the request as a political and advocacy step to encourage the state agency to clear outstanding payments and consider Graceride’s proposed expansion centered in Pueblo.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Work Session-May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the May 12 work session, representatives of Graceride Medical Transportation and Colorado Secure Transportation asked Pueblo City Council for a support letter urging the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to resume Medicaid reimbursements withheld since August 2023.","taxTitle","Pueblo City, Pueblo County, Colorado","taxId",4964,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562129,"Pueblo health department proposes default water/milk for bundled kids’ meals; council debates ordinance vs. education",2860,2276000,5136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280511-8cbeb15020ccb3c32b7432ed998077a1&start=2276&end=5136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280511-8cbeb15020ccb3c32b7432ed998077a1/thumbnail_2276000.jpg","/articles/6562129/Pueblo-City/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Pueblo-health-department-proposes-default-watermilk-for-bundled-kids-meals-council-debates-ordinance-vs-education","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562129-3f4a3a342ff73f0ed4696d10debdb113/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196756&Signature=L9PEwXkAY1kefn2nVYQ6CV4X3hr8NYyAFr-E76c9c8693JnD3WAE0J5QWjZPFYs0PREGizx-W60Iw~EeaPRpxQVFgdBmvX5-tE4cqvzsUQ5x~2g~3VAqYDQK~gSGRfEyzr61DwWR2M-gOndbNwQuFNHb~LSIMZtHfSHAyFrvsVj14-sy8EpkrvbEv~VPPY9Ek63fQBLWnP1N3dBeeOJRh-LF1GfBGQkqxwwWrFny7UxhPK5OQOCLKRgzphyoK~6ng~Ms6Yzvc4iNIrxqBKKmyqhft58sHxAqFwcSKKOSrUZytzL3otmpuXq3aIeaHOATZ3l~~S7KriG~QGl2sUsxuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On May 12, 2025, the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment and the Drink to Grow Coalition presented the “Healthy Beverages for All” initiative to Pueblo City Council, proposing a municipal policy that would make water (or unsweetened milk at the restaurant’s option) the default beverage included with bundled children's meals.

Gabby Stapleton, project lead for the Drink to Grow Coalition, said the program is funded by the Cancer, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Disease (CCPD) Grants Program for the 2023–2026 cycle. Stapleton cited local health-assessment data showing that 24% of Pueblo children ages 1–14 consume sugar-sweetened beverages at least once per day, compared with 15% statewide. “We exceed [the state rate] by almost 10%, and that shows us that this is a growing problem,” Stapleton said.

Stapleton said the program’s community outreach included a “Drink to Grow” survey with 321 respondents (81% supportive) and 92 pledge cards from residents; staff counted about 300 restaurants in Pueblo, of which 96 offer bundled kid’s meals (34 local, 62 chain). The coalition reported letters of support from UCHealth Parkview, CommonSpirit Saint Mary‑Corwin, Pueblo Community College Children First, Colorado Blue Sky and the Colorado Restaurant Association, and named DNC Tacos and Southwest Grill as local restaurant supporters.

Program staff proposed a voluntary compliance window of six months to a year and said grant funds could help restaurants cover menu reprinting. They presented three enforcement options for a possible ordinance: a complaint-based model, tying compliance to business-license renewal, or adding checks during restaurant inspections (the presenters said the latter is a less-preferred option because the state food code focuses on food safety rather than menu content).

Council discussion was divided. Supporters, including Councilor Martinez and Councilor Boston, framed the proposal as a modest, evidence‑based step to reduce children’s added sugar intake and pointed to early-adopter municipalities (Lafayette, Longmont, Golden, Denver, Lewisville, Carbondale and Adams County). “This could be one simple way to hopefully make a very effective and large impact in the long run,” Councilor Martinez said and formally moved to continue pursuing an ordinance.

Opponents and questioners emphasized parental choice and enforcement concerns. Councilor Maestri and other council members argued for stronger emphasis on education and voluntary recognition or incentive programs rather than penalties. Council President Aleph said he supported education and a resolution endorsing the program but was hesitant to require penalties; he framed the proposal as risking incremental further restrictions on restaurant offerings.

Presenters and some council members suggested middle-ground options: a complaint-based enforcement approach with a multi‑step compliance process (for example, a three‑strike pattern before any penalty) and city recognition or a voluntary “I support kids’ health” program for participating restaurants. Stapleton and Jessica Apodaca, program manager at the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment, said they had begun outreach to local restaurants and childcare providers but had not yet engaged both district 60 and district 70 school officials; several councilors volunteered to help the presenters make those school contacts.

No ordinance vote was taken; Councilor Martinez moved to proceed with drafting an ordinance (council discussed continuing the conversation and considering incentive-based recognition and education alongside a complaint‑based compliance path). Presenters said they will return with draft language, ordinance comparisons and additional outreach results.","The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment and Drink to Grow Coalition presented a proposal to make water or unsweetened milk the default beverage for bundled kids’ meals; presenters cited local data showing high sugary beverage consumption among children and offered a voluntary compliance period and grant support for menu reprinting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562134,"Pueblo lobbyists summarize 2025 Colorado session impacts, urge local priorities for next year",891,61000,952000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3280511-8cbeb15020ccb3c32b7432ed998077a1&start=61&end=952","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3280511-8cbeb15020ccb3c32b7432ed998077a1/thumbnail_61000.jpg","/articles/6562134/Pueblo-City/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Pueblo-lobbyists-summarize-2025-Colorado-session-impacts-urge-local-priorities-for-next-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562134-a802b6b1bd5806656ec79a98639d37b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196756&Signature=ZmpBmTtI5Y3RVEOHjbvIZfqRPCz85XJfQZIWwPXJH0HYmaXyqd1bWDQOuVEAhGZAQZxwKPXUX0C4B7FW2XJoynM~4QkxOG9ivOiIvnaKNc2-cbM3eiCOMDOHF81tDCfSNTtFp1Rrk6s3oqDLFQkeINvzt5ijLSuXFTx3g35rQTzYWha5znfLiTkYa3USYYQDIFH1uRv6nKNXKsuybCfVfBIJUBHWc5uXiQ-nxnPM8BKjBwQNtCGXUQoIqkscfTXQSfO2gvXS56V4waLulW2Eb0gKaA1xv-1nirR95ai3Dy6erE57XirLExoVVdF~3ZQwUpkGtLt96ijlcZ48g1VIJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On May 12, 2025, lobbyists from Capital Success Group presented a legislative wrap-up to Pueblo City Council, outlining bills passed in the 2025 Colorado legislative session that they said will materially affect Pueblo City finances and services.

Gil Romero, principal at Capital Success Group, told the council that the session produced 657 introduced bills and 585 passed measures, and highlighted one late-session measure, “Senate Bill 290,” which he said creates a provider stabilization fund intended to help clinics left with negative margins after recent Medicaid coverage losses. “The bill creates a provider stabilization fund that will receive a minimum of a hundred million dollars in investment,” Romero said, adding that the bill was funded with interest from the state’s unclaimed property fund.

The lobbyists warned, however, that the source of the funding raised concern: Romero said the state’s unclaimed property pool contains roughly $1.5 billion and that the legislature is using interest from that account to back the stabilization fund. He also noted a $1.2 billion state budget shortfall for the year and a one-time sweep of cash accounts of about $400 million that may leave fewer buffers for next year’s budget.

Ryan Romero, who led the municipal court bill briefing, flagged two measures he said were particularly consequential to Pueblo. He described House Bill 25‑1147 (identified in the presentation as “HB 11 47”) as an attempt to standardize municipal sentencing and court practices with state law, including capping jail sentences for municipal offenses to match comparable state offenses and clarifying defendants' right to counsel. “That was probably our highest priority bill of the session. We … put a lot of resources into lobbying against this, and it unfortunately did pass,” Ryan Romero said. He added that the governor has until June 6 to sign or veto that bill.

Ryan Romero said Senate Bill 62, restricting criminal charges solely for failure to appear in municipal court, was signed and will take effect April 17, 2025; judges, he said, may still issue bench warrants and consider missed appearances at bond hearings.

Alec Romero highlighted bills tied to Pueblo priorities in public safety and child care. He described “Senate Bill 25310,” which implements Proposition 1‑30, as creating a peace officer support fund with a $15 million starting allocation and potential to rise to $35 million annually for hiring, training and retention. He also noted a bill he said requires child-care providers to refund application and deposit fees if a child is not enrolled within six months and mandates clearer fee disclosures.

Council members asked clarifying questions about funding mechanics. Councilor Martinez asked how the Proposition 1‑30 revenue is generated; Alec Romero replied that the legislature plans to contribute $500 million to PERA and use interest to reach the $35 million ceiling, with a guaranteed $15 million in general fund dollars each year if investment returns fall short.

Council- and public-facing consequences were highlighted: Gil Romero said a state fund used for First Appearance Defense Counsel was wiped out in the budget, a change he said will likely force the city to find an alternate funding source for indigent defense in municipal court. He also said the Legislature permanently reduced the state retail marijuana sales tax share back to local governments from 10% to 3.5% as part of the response to the budget shortfall.

Councilors asked the lobbyists to help advance proactive bills for Pueblo over the summer rather than only mounting defensive efforts at the Capitol. “If you think of anything, whether it's a health issue, whether it's something having to do with public safety, anything that you think would improve this community … we want to start working on that,” Gil Romero said. Several councilors expressed interest in pursuing targeted local priorities—especially around energy transition funds for communities affected by Comanche 3’s retirement and on municipal authority over public safety policy.

The lobbyists asked council members to surface ideas this summer so they can identify sponsors and build coalitions. The presentation concluded with the lobbyists reiterating a request that council consider drafting local legislative priorities the firm can carry to the Statehouse.

The council did not take formal action during the presentation; the lobbyists said they would keep council informed about veto or signature decisions and the June revenue forecast, which they said will influence the 2026 budget outlook.","Capital Success Group lobbyists told Pueblo City Council on May 12 that multiple 2025 state bills will affect Pueblo’s budget, public safety and health care; they urged councilors to propose local priorities for sponsors to carry at the Statehouse.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Graceride asks Pueblo council to back letter pressing state to release Medicaid reimbursements; cites local patient access impact

Pueblo health department proposes default water/milk for bundled kids’ meals; council debates ordinance vs. education

Pueblo lobbyists summarize 2025 Colorado session impacts, urge local priorities for next year